Link Roundup: The All-Star Break Cometh

With one series left before the All-Star Break, the Mets have a chance to finish the first half of their season on a high note. They have to play the Pirates in Pittsburgh. The Bucs had a great first half, but have struggled of late having lost 6 of 10. The Mets, on the other hand, have won 7 of their last 10.

Harvey will likely make an appearance in the game, whether he starts or not. The Mets will skip his spot in the rotation during the Pittsburgh series. The reason for this is threefold. First, he’s on pace for 240 innings. He threw 160 total last year between the minors and majors. That’s a huge jump for most young pitchers. Second, he’s been pitching with a blister on his finger lately. And third, it will allow him to throw 25-30 pitches or so in the ASG.

Paul is a freelance writer, blogger, and broadcast technology professional residing in Denver. A New Jersey native, he is a long-suffering Mets fan, a recently-happy Giants fan, and bewildered Islanders fan. He's also a fair-weather Avalanche and Rockies supporter. In his spare time, he enjoys the three Gs: Golf, Guitars, and Games.

the Mets need bullpen help. The Red Sox just called up a young reliever who had a 2.18 era in AAA and hasn’t given up a run in three games in the majors. How about the Mets trade Anthony Reeker for the Pedro Beato guy?

TexasGusCCJuly 12, 2013 at 1:34 am

My opinion on why the Mets have played better ball lately is twofold:
1. Who have they played lately? The Giants are 10 games under and a lineup that’s worse than the Mets. Milwaukee kicked the ball around. Against the D-backs, the manager screwed up the first game and after a nice 9-1 win, the Mets lost the next two. They lost a series to the Nats, beat the Phillies, won 3 of 5 against the Braves, lost a series to the CUBS, and lost to the Cardinals. That has been the last month. Do you see any Reds, or Dodgers, or Pirates? Let’s not get carried away, but hey, wins are wins.
2. They have played better baseball by catching it more often and getting rid of players like Ankiel, Tejada, Duda and Davis that let’s face it, were not performing. They were replaced by Lagares who has played great defensively and has hit well; Quintanilla who has played very good defense and gotten some clutch hits; Young who has added speed to this lead footed lineup, hit over .300 and catches it in left more often than we’re used to; and Satin who has hit .380 playing first base and got replaced by a player that I wonder if I would want to be my first baseman if it were MY team.

Here’s why I say that about Davis: Yes, he has power. But he strikes out a lot, does not show to have a good average and worse of all, his glove has become a decoration. He doesn’t move for the ball, doesn’t scoop out balls in the dirt, and doesn’t seem to have any range. I give you two options: Player A has .260, 30 hr, 90 rbi, 175 Ks, not good defensively; Player B has .290, 20 hr, 90 rbi, 110 Ks, and better than average defensively. Who do you want? I want the better defensive player that saves more runs and is involved on more runs because although he may not hit the homeruns, getting on more often gives the offense more juice. Lagares is better defensively than Ankiel, Young is better than Duda, Quintanilla is better (this year) than Tejada, and Satin was better defensively than Davis. That half your lineup!

Therefore, go with the players that produce or you are hurting the team, period. That’s my opinion.

MicalpalynJuly 12, 2013 at 12:43 pm

Not that simple, although the argument is strong.
-Hefner has pitched well, no one could have predicted his improvement.
-Josh Satin has been a find, even in small sample.
-Eric Young for Colin mchugh. If you map the surge it really started with him. He has been the lead off guy we needed. Plus I like him in LF not CF.
-bullpen. Carlos Torres was the boost the pen needed along with Dave Aardsma.
– Harvey. Sorry but he is tired. He has dropped off a bit. In a nothing season, we need to see him go into next year healthy
– Oher kids are getting closer too. Noah, Montero could be up in September.
– AND, didn’t Wilmer go 4-5 with 2 homers……hmmmmm.

Question. Could Ike be demoted again?

Dan BJuly 12, 2013 at 1:32 pm

okay, since nobody is biting my Beato idea, Seattle has one of the best set-up guys in baseball. He is only 31 years old and a lefty. His ERA is 1.75 in 38 games. How about the Mets trade for Oliver Perez?

DaveSchneckJuly 12, 2013 at 7:58 pm

DAn,
Okay, I’ll bite on this one, but only because Scott Rice’s arm should fall off shortly after the all-star break. Seattle needs bats, how about Jason Bay? Wait, bad idea, that already happened, somehow, I think. Need a lefty, ok, Mike Baxter? Not enough? Ok, we’ll throw in Ike too. Boy, this GM work is tougher than I thought.

NormEJuly 12, 2013 at 3:22 pm

Dan B,
I love the way you are trying to stir the pot. Let’s face it, Ollie is never coming our way again. Both sides (Mets, Ollie) are better off that way.
The bullpen is not a major issue at the moment, but getting rid of Recker means that you have a #2 catcher ready as a replacement. It’s important now that TC may have grasped the importance of giving Buck more rest.
I have not seen Beato lately, but the Mets misused/abused him. Too bad.